Africa
Kenya mixes up ballot papers, suspends part of elections – Officials in Kenya have suspended voting in four places in the country because of a mix-up during the printing of ballot papers. The ballot papers displayed details and images of candidates listed wrongly. Areas affected by the mix-up include Mombasa and Kakamega counties and Pokot South and Kacheliba constituencies. Kenya’s election body also suspended elections in four wards recently after the deaths of candidates.
Chad signs peace deal with rebel groups – Chad signed a peace deal with more than 40 opposition groups after months of mediation. However, the main rebel group, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, refused to be part of deal unless Chad military ruler Mahamat Idriss Déby removed himself from the country’s October elections. Déby took over the country after his father Idriss Déby died fighting rebels.
Asia
China military carries out drills near Taiwan – China’s military carried out live fire exercises around Taiwan over the weekend as tension between the two countries continue. Taiwan accused China of using the drills as practice for a possible invasion of the country. The Chinese army is planning on continuing military drills near Taiwan and will practice anti-submarine attacks and sea raids. Countries like the United States, Australia and Japan have all condemned the drills.
Thailand nightclub fire leaves 14 dead – At least 14 people were killed and dozens were injured due to a fire at a nightclub in south-eastern Thailand. It is unknown what caused the fire, but officials said flammable material on the walls may have worsened the situation. The fire started during a live music performance at the club. Firefighters brought the fire under control after two hours of battling it.
Europe
Unexploded World War II bomb found in Italy – Fishermen on the banks of the River Po in Italy, which has largely dried up because of a drought, discovered an unexploded World War II bomb. The bomb contained around 530 pounds of explosive and caused around 3,000 nearby residents to evacuate so that bomb disposal experts could safely conduct a controlled explosion. Four hundred miles of the river has dried up.
Russian rockets damage part of nuclear plant in Ukraine – Officials in Ukraine said Russian rockets damaged a nitrogen-oxygen unit and a high-voltage power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the country. Officials said there has been no radiation leak. The plant is the largest of its kind in Europe and located in southern Ukraine. Russia seized it in March and kept the plant’s Ukrainian employees.
Latin America
Men convicted over fire in Brazil freed – Judges in Brazil overturned the conviction of four men who were sentenced to prison over a 2013 fire at a nightclub that killed 242 people. The court’s decision was made after ruling that there had been irregularities in the trial’s jury selection. The fire started when a band playing at the club lit flares which ignited the ceiling. Two band members and two owners of the club were found guilty of murder and attempted murder one year ago.
Colombia swears in new president – Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been sworn into office. He is the country’s first ever left-wing leader and promised to fight inequality and ban new oil projects. While speaking at his inauguration, Petro called for a new global strategy to fight illegal drug trafficking. The Narcotics trade has caused a long-lasting civil war in Colombia that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
North America
U.S. Senate approves climate bill – Over the weekend, the United States Senate approved the Inflation Reduction Act which includes $369 billion for climate action. Authors of the bill expect it to cut the country’s carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030. The bill will be sent to the Democrat-controlled House next and is expected to be backed as soon as this week. The bill also includes $64 billion for healthcare and a provision that will allow some households to receive a tax credit to buy an electric car or used car.
Canada set to ban import of handguns – Starting Aug. 19, imports of handguns will be banned in Canada. The ban comes at a time when Canada has seen numerous deadly shootings. The bill was proposed days after a Texas school shooting that left 21 people dead in May. Gun ownership is not part of Canada’s constitution, but guns are popular throughout the country, especially in rural parts.
